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Councils across the country will share over £46m to help get people off the streets and into accommodation, Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP has confirmed today (25th March).

The money is said to form part of the government’s £100m Rough Sleeping Strategy, used to fund rough sleeping coordinator roles, add new or additional outreach services and extend existing or provide new temporary accommodation.

It is also reported to include night shelters and hostel spaces, with a further opportunity to provide housing-led solutions such as Housing First services.

The funding includes £34m for the 83 Rough Sleeping Areas and an additional £12m for other areas of the country.

Across all areas, it is estimated the money will provide funding for up to:

• 110 rough sleeping coordinators to improve local handing of the issue
• 300 outreach workers
• 350 other support and specialist roles
• over 1,400 new emergency bed spaces, including winter night shelter provision
• over 700 new long-term beds, including in the private rented sector and supported housing
• more than 500 new temporary spaces, through hostels for example
• over £2.5m for spot-purchasing beds and increasing access to accommodation

Some projects are said to provide specialist support such as family reconnections, immigration advice or access to mental and physical health services, with others due to focus on providing services for specific groups of people, such as vulnerable women, those transitioning from leaving care or people trying to get their life back on track after leaving prison.

“We are taking the necessary steps to make that happen, already providing 2,600 additional beds and 750 more support staff for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“But we must keep up the momentum and that’s why we are giving this funding to areas and projects that need it, ensuring progress continues to be made and people are given the help they need to turn their lives around.”